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1/3/2002
Clijsters, Malisse Lift Belgium to Victory over France
PERTH, Australia (AFP) - Belgium's fourth-seeded Kim Clijsters and Xavier Malisse moved a step closer to a Hopman Cup tennis final Thursday when they defeated France at the Burswood Dome.
The Belgians went to an unbeatable 2-0 lead over the French when they won both singles matches in style on the sixth day of the million-dollar ($500,000 U.S.) eight-nation contest.
Fifth-ranked Clijsters made amends for a major lapse earlier in the tournament when she overwhelmed France's Virginie Razzano, ranked No. 72 in the world, romping to a 6-3, 6-2 win in in the women's singles match.
Malisse, ranked 35, completed the Belgian victory - the nation's second in two ties here - when he outlasted 18th-ranked Arnaud Clement in the men's singles, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and a half.
Two days earlier, Clijsters suffered a straight sets defeat at the hands of Italian giant-killer Francesca Schiavone, ranked 31 in the world.
"I am very happy to have won after the disappointment of Tuesday," Clijsters said.
"I was in control in this match.
"I have been working a little bit more on my winners at practice - and that helped me today. Before, I was unable to finish off."
Clijsters denied she was feeling extra pressure now that she had risen to No. 5 in the world.
"But I know other players are trying to beat me," she said.
Malisse said he was satisfied with his and Clijsters' performances.
"You just keep playing your game, and you take every opportunity you get," he said.
"This was a good win. Kim and I both played very well."
Unseeded France, thrashed by the United States' pair of Monica Seles and Jan-Michael Gambill three days ago, now has no chance of making the last two.
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Clijsters, Malisse Lift Belgium to Victory over FrancePERTH, Australia (AFP) - Belgium's fourth-seeded Kim Clijsters and Xavier Malisse moved a step closer to a Hopman Cup tennis final Thursday when they defeated France at the Burswood Dome. The Belgians went to an unbeatable 2-0 lead over the French when they won both singles matches in style on the sixth day of the million-dollar ($500,000 U.S.) eight-nation contest. Fifth-ranked Clijsters made amends for a major lapse earlier in the tournament when she overwhelmed France's Virginie Razzano, ranked No. 72 in the world, romping to a 6-3, 6-2 win in in the women's singles match. Malisse, ranked 35, completed the Belgian victory - the nation's second in two ties here - when he outlasted 18th-ranked Arnaud Clement in the men's singles, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and a half. Two days earlier, Clijsters suffered a straight sets defeat at the hands of Italian giant-killer Francesca Schiavone, ranked 31 in the world. "I am very happy to have won after the disappointment of Tuesday," Clijsters said. "I was in control in this match. "I have been working a little bit more on my winners at practice - and that helped me today. Before, I was unable to finish off." Clijsters denied she was feeling extra pressure now that she had risen to No. 5 in the world. "But I know other players are trying to beat me," she said. Malisse said he was satisfied with his and Clijsters' performances. "You just keep playing your game, and you take every opportunity you get," he said. "This was a good win. Kim and I both played very well." Unseeded France, thrashed by the United States' pair of Monica Seles and Jan-Michael Gambill three days ago, now has no chance of making the last two.
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